By Julia Eskins

Photography by Dmitri Moisseev

Toronto’s style-savvy crowd gathered at 99 Sudbury on Mar.6 to see the fall/winter 2012 BASCH and LOVAS collections by renowned fashion designer Wesley Badanjak, as well as a special presentation by students who took part in the BASCH It Up! competition.

As one of the first and most anticipated shows of Rogue Fashion Week, the double-bill presentation began by highlighting Badanjak’s new position as creative director of BASCH. While still retaining BASCH’s traditional focus on evening wear, Badanjak infused the re-launched line with flawless tailoring and rich-coloured coral, plum and red crepe de Chine cocktail dresses.

Playing up the focus of affordable luxury, the collection was filled with sequins, fur coats and flirty chiffon dresses, which were well-aligned with fall’s upcoming trend of shorter hemlines.

BASCH

Badanjak took a darker approach to his fall/winter 2012 LOVAS collection, entitled The Waterless Flood. He was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Year of the Flood, and the main character’s journey from Stepford Wife to exotic dancer.

This influence was evident in the presentation, which was filled with fur, snakeskin prints and a moody colour palette of grey and black, accented with royal blue and deep red. Classic evening gowns were revived with the refined use of ostrich feathers, python chiffon and feather-printed crepe.

With chic black and ivory half gloves, Badanjak cultivated head-to-toe sophistication, well suited for even the darkest days of winter.

LOVAS

The evening also featured a wonderful celebration of new talent, as up-and-coming designers from post-secondary programs across Ontario showcased their creations at the BASCH It Up student competition. Students got a taste of the runway and an eye of approval from a distinguished panel of judges, including fashion designers Arthur Mendonça, David Dixon and Wesley Badanjak himself.

Hosted by Eleventh Floor Apparel Ltd., students were required to design two to four BASCH-inspired full womenswear outfits. The selected looks that appeared on the runway included tailored daywear, peplum cocktail dresses and flowing chiffon blouses.

BASCH It Up!

Sarah McGowan from George Brown College was announced as the winner for her 40s femme fatale inspired look. The little black ensemble featured a satin bodice, sheer neckline and a pleated skirt. McGowan was awarded a grand prize of a six-month paid internship at Eleventh Floor Apparel Ltd., clothing allowances from BASCH and Eleven Boutique, as well as an opportunity to have her winning look sold in Toronto and her mini-collection marketed across North America through BASCH agencies.

It was a night infused with glamour, energy and success.